Journal box



July 19 19 32. D. s. BARROWS JOURNAL BOX Filed July 8, 192 6 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 19, 1932. D. s. BARROWS JOURNAL BOX Filed July 8, 1926 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 am Wu:

July 19, 1932. D. s. BARROWS JOURNAL BOX Filed July 8 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet s awuanto'c Patented Jul y 1 9, 1 932v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mum s. manows, or aaocnns'rnn, new YORK, ASSIGNOB' '10 ma'smmcrron' courm, or NEW YORK, 11.1, a conronarron or mnann JOURNAL BOX Application filed Jul 8,1926. Serial no. 121,1ao-.-'

The invention relates to journal boxes and,

more articularly, to articulated lids for closing t e outer openings therein.

The principal object of the invention, generally considered, is to provide an articulated lid comprising a cover member, a hood or.

hinging member, an actuating or lever member and a spring, said arts being so arranged that universal motion etween the cover member and the other partsis provided for whereby said cover member is adapted to completely close the journal box opening.

An object of my invention is to provide an articulated lid for journal boxes in which provision is made for a full articulation between that portion thereof serving' as a cover over the opening and the member by which it is pivotally connected to the journal box,

said connectionpreferably being in the form somewhat like a ball and socket joint to allow a limited angling motion in all directions.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an articulated lid for journal boxes in which special means are provided to facilitate the application of said lid to the box and avoid manually stressing the actuating spring for said lid, said lid, for that purpose, comprising a cover member and hood and lever members flexibly connected thereto, the actuating spring for said lid being compressed between'said hood and lever members which are provided with cooperating apertures adapted to register for receiving a locking pin to hold the spring in stressed position and the lever away from the hinge lug on the journal box whereby said assembled lid may be pivotally connected to said journal box .and the actuating spring subsequently released by removing the locklng pm.

A further object of my invention is theopening for that portion thereof where it is not protected by the hood member of the lid. A still further object of my invention is the connection of an articulated lid to a journal box by a novel method not involving the manual initial stressing of the actuating spring whereby a spring of simple form and large capacity maybe employed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and combination of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is an outer elevational view of one form of my articulated journal box lid assem bled with respect to an associated journal Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1, the direction of view being indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is'a detailed sectional view of the hood or pivoting member of the lid showing it detached from the other members, the section being on the line 22 of Figure 1 and the direction of view'being indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to' re 4 but showing, instead of the hood mem r, the lever or actuating member for the lid.

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figures 4' and 5 but showing only the cover portion or member of the lid.

Figure 7 is a detailed side elevation of the lower end of the hood or hinge member of the lid, particularly showing the ball shaped portion which cooperates with the socket portion on the cover member of the lid.

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view'of the hood member of the lid on the line of Figure 7; 3

Figure 9 is a sectional view on' the line 9 9 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views substantially corresponding to Figures 1, 2 and 9 exticulated lid detached from instead of connected to an associated ournalbox. U

Referring to the drawings in detail, llke parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, in-' clusive, a journal box 1 is illustrated provided with a usual form of hinge lug 2 and outer opening 3 normally closed by a lid 4. The hinge lug 2 which is, as usual, formed on the roof or top wall 5 of the journal box 1s perforated at 6 to receive a hinge pin or pmtle 7, which pin is preferably, though not necessaril-y, of the type shown in detail in Figures 1 and 3, one end being headed and the other end being split or bifurcated, the portions thereof being adapted for separation after assembly with the lid to prevent undesired removal or loss thereof. In the present embodiment of my invention, the lid structure, assembly or lid comprises a cover or plate portion 8, a hood, carrier member, spring stressing or hinging portion 9 and a lever or actuating ortion 10, the lid being pivotally connecte to the box through the hood or hinging portion 9 by having the pintle 7 extending through the aperture 6 in the hinge lug and the perforated ears or loops 11 on the hood or hinging portion of the lid. The lever cooperates with the angularly disposed faces 12 and 13 on the hinge log 2 to hold the lid as a whole in either open or closed position in a well understood manner.

The cover 8, which may conveniently be formed by pressing from a flat sheet of metal, is adapted to closely engage the outer edge of the opening 3 in the journal box along all four sides thereof and the upper edge of said cover is bent downwardly over the outer edge of the roof portion of the box where said edge is not protected by the hood or hinge portion 9 of the lid to shed rain and adequately seal the joint between the lid and box against the entrance of dirt. The downturned edge of the lid is preferably continued along the sides thereof as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2; It will be noted that the hood is formed at its upper portion with a flange extending partially over the lug 2 and serving to exclude water and other foreign matter from the up per edge of the cover 8 where said cover is not provided with the downturned flange previously referred to. The free edge of this overlapping flange is preferably beaded or provided with a rib, as illustrated. Preferably centrally disposed on the lid 8 is a socket or recess portion 14 with which a corresponding embossed or ball shaped portion 15 of the hood member 9 cooperates for allowing universal motion of the lid to a limited degree whereby seating thereof along the full periphery of the journal box opening is assured. The concave or opposite side of the ball shaped or spherical portion 15 of the hood forms a socket portion 16 which is adapted to and, when assembled,.does receive the ball shaped end 17 of the actuating lever 10 thereby forming, in effect, a balland socket joint allowing universal angling to a limited degree between the cover, the lever and the hood member of the lid.

The three main members of the lid, that is, the cover 8, the hood 9 and the lever 10, are connected in cooperative arrangement as shown in Figure 2 by the insertion of a pin 18 through registering apertures'19 in the cover, in the hood and 21 in the lever, the

apertures 19- in the cover being preferably of such a size that the pin 18 snugly fits therein and is secured in position by cotters or any desired fastening means 22 while the apertures 20 and 21 are sufficiently larger than the pin 22 so that universal angling vto a limited degree is permitted between the cover, hood and lever members of the lid. The axis of said apertures preferably intersects the center of the spherical or ball shaped portions 14, 15, 16 and 17 on the cover, hood and lever, hertofore described, so that the movement between said members about the pin 18 and with respect to the engaging ball and socket portions is coaxial. For urging the lever 10 against the cooperating face 13 or 12 to hold the lid in the desired position with respect to the box, a coil spring 23 is preferably provided and adapted for assembly between the hood and lever members as shown in Figure 2, said members, for that purpose, being formed with substantially parallel wall portions 24 and 25 serving as seats for the spring and the outer edges of which are so defined by the interior contour of the members that said spring is retained in properly assembled position with respect to said members as will be understood.

In order to use a spring 23 of high capacity and of simple helical form, it is desirable to provide some means for stressing the spring other than by hand when or before the lid'is applied to the journal box. For this purpose, alined apertures 26 are provided near the upper end of the hood and alined aperilk) tures 27 are provided near the upper end of the lever 10, said apertures being a uniform radial distance from the ball and socket connection between the members so that by compressingtlie spring 23 in any desired-manner, say 1n a vise, by power or by other suitable mechanical means, the apertures 26 and 27 may be brought into alinement and the parts locked together with the spring in stressed'position by inserting a pin, nail or other similar means to hold said lever away from a position where it would normally en- 7 gage the hinge. lug 2. This preliminary stressing of the spring may take place when the hood and lever are assembled but before the pin 18 is inserted to connect the same with the cover portion of the lid or this may be T1 effected after said pin has been inserted, as will be understood. When this is accomplished, as will be obvious, the apertures in the ears or loops 11 may be brought into alinement with the corresponding aperture in the hinge lug 2 and the hinge pin 7 inserted through all said apertures to pivotally connect the lid to the journal box Without interference from the lever 10 which normally would press against the lug and throw or tend to throw the ears 11 out of alinement with the lug 2. After securing the hinge pin 7 in place, the licking pin or nail (not shown) which temporarily was placed through the apertures 26 and 27 may be knocked out or otherwise removed to allow the lever 10 to resiliently engage the cooperating hinge lug to where it will function in the desired manner to hold the lid in either open or closed position.

Although my articulated lid may be assembled as shown in Figures 1,2 and 9 in any desired manner, yet a preferred manner of assembling the parts of the lid with each other and with the journal box is as follows. The spring 23 is positioned between the hood 9 and the lever 10 with the ends thereof engaging the spring seats 24 and 25 thereon and the ball 17 on the lever engaging the socket 16 on the hood. The lever and hood may then be pressed together in a vise or by other mechanical or power means until the apertures 26 and 27 register, when a pin, nail or other device may be insertedtherethrough to hold the spring stressed and the lever 10 close to the hood 9 so as not to'interfere with the subsequent assembly of the hood with the hinge lug 2. The hood and lever may then be handled as a unit and assembled with the cover portion 8, the ball ortion 15 on the hood being inserted in the socket portion 14 on the cover and the cover and hood connected together by inserting the pin 18 in place as shown particularly in Figure 9. On account of the oversize of the apertures 20 and 21 in the hood and lever, respectively, for receiving the pin 18, said pin not only allows pivotal motion between the members but allows angling to a limited extent in all directions.

After the pin 18 has been inserted in position and locked in place by the locking device 22, the cover is placed over the opening 3 in the journal box, the hood and lever moved with respect to the hinge lug until the cooperating apertures therein register, the hinge pin 7 being then inserted and locked in place by expanding the bifurcated end to the position shown in Figure 3. The pin or locking means through the apertures 26' and 27 may then be knocked out or otherwise removed to allow the lever 10 to press. against the lug 2 and hold the lid in the desired open or closed position. I

Although the aforegoing describes the Although the cover, previously referred to, i

has been described as having a downturned edge or flange along part of its top and the sides thereof yet, as is obvious, it is also preferably provided with a lip 28 for manually grasping the same for the operation thereof and may be rigidified and strengthened transversely thereof by having a corrugation or embossment 29 formed therein, as illustrated.

, Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12, a similar construction is there disclosedexcept that the design is particularly adapted for making all three members of the lid, that is, the cover, hood and lever, by pressing sheet metal to the desired shapes while, in the previous embodiment, the cover only was adapted to be formed of sheet metal, the hood and lever being preferably cast because of the configuration thereof. In this second embodiment of my invention, the construction of the hood and lever members is so simple, the construction of the cover member being substantially identical with that of the first embodiment, so that said hood and lever may be formed by pressing sheet metal to the shapes illustrated.

Considering the hood 9, for example, it will benoted that the same is formed generally pan shape with perforated ears 11 adapted for the reception of the usual pintle (not shown) for connecting the lid with an associated journal box. As in the previous embodiment, a spring seating portion 24 is provided for seating the associated spring 23, which may be identical with the spring 23 of the first embodiment, and for properly retaining said spring in the desired position, a central embossment 30 may be provided around which the spring is applied in addition to having the marginal edges of the spring seat defined by embossments 31. It will be noted that the inward embossment 30 corresponds with the:

cast lug similarly positioned in the first embodiment. The lower end of the hood 9 is formed somewhat different from the corresponding portion of the hood 9 because of the difliculty of pressing a ball shaped end such as shown in the first embodiment. The ball shaped end of the first embodiment is, therefore, replaced by cylindrically curved outwardly extending flanges 15 which cooperate with the cylindrical cavity or socketed portion 14* on the cover 8 and the lower end of the hood 9, as in the first embodiment, is provided with pivot means receiving apertures 20' which are adaptedto aline with corresponding apertures 19 in the cover 8. The

lever or actuating member 10 is formed verysimilar to the actuating member 10 of the previous embodiment except that the spring seating portion 25, is defined on its upper side, not by a cast wall, but by an outwardly bent flange 32 struck from the web of the generall channel shaped lever to provide 10 for the proper positioning of the spring 23. Such a construction, as will be obvious, leaves an aperture 33 in said lever 10, which aperture, however, is not of sufficient area to harmfully weaken the lever. The lower portion of the lever 10" is cylindrical or curved and pro- Y vided with apertures 21 for the reception of a pivot pin 18?, with its axis substantially parallel to the cover 8, as in the first embodiment. The assembly of the pressed parts 8", 9 and 10 of the present embodiment may be substantially the same as that of the first embodiment except that said parts must be pivoted together by the pivot pin 18 with $5 the spring 23 between the hood and lever members beforesaid hood and lever members are pressed one toward the other to bring the apertures 26 and 27 a in alinement for the reception of the temporary locking pin (not shown). The reason for this will be apparent from a consideration of Figures 11 and 12 which show that there is no ball and socket connection between the hood and lever so that the pin 18 is relied upon for holding these together after the spring 23*- has been placed therebetween. Inasmuch as said spring 23 causes the leverlO to press inwardly on the pin 18* and the hood 9 to press outwardly on the pin 18 universal motion for the co'ver 8 cannot be provided by any loose fitting of the pin 18 in the lever and hood member as in the previous embodiment. Such universal motion or articulation is, therefore, not provided for this reason as well as for the reason that the cylindrical engaging surfaces between the members allow only pivotal motion therebetween in one plane. Universal motion of this cover, to an extent suflicient to insure proper seating thereof-0n the box, may be provided by forming the desired clearance between the hinge pin and the hinge lug on the associated box. Except as specifically described in connection with the second embodiment, the construction and operation thereof may be substantially identical with that of the first embodiment From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that I have devised an articulated lid construction which insures the seating of the lid on the edge ofthe journal box atall times and provision is made for cheaply constructing such a lid of pressed parts, if desired. Provision is also made for 165 guarding the joint between the upper edge .said lug, and means of the lid and the 'ournal box from the entrance of water an foreign material and an important feature of the present lid lies in the ease with which the actuating spring may be stressed and the actuating'lever held in inoperative position until the lid has been applied to an associated box.

Having now described ,my invention, 1 I claim: I I

1. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug thereon, an articulated lid including a cover, a hood and a lever universally connected each with respect to the other, spring means actin between said hood and lever to force sald lever against pivotally connecting said lid to the lug.

2. In combination, a 'ournal box having. an opening and a hinge ug above said ,opening, an articulatedlid including a cover, with a hood and a rigid lever connected for universal movement therewith, the hood being pivoted upon the hinge In and spring means provided between sai hood and lever to force the lever against the lug and cover to press said cover tightly over the opening in the journal box.

3. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, an articulated lid pivoted u on the lug and including a cover normally 0 osing the journal box opening, said lid also including a lever and hood and all of said members engaging at a ball and socket joint connection therebetween, spring means interposed between and actln against the lever and hood to press sai lever against the hinge lug at one end and the ball and socket joint at the other end whereb said cover is maintained with the edges t ereof firmly pressed against the edges of the journal box opening.

4. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug provided with faces arranged at an angle, an articulated lid including a cover normally closing the journal box opening, said lid also including a lever and a hood with common pivotal means between said cover, lever and hood allowing universal angling to a limited degree between the parts, means pivotallyconnecting said hood to said lug, spring means acting be- 7 tween said lever and hood to press the lever against the corresponding face of the hinge lug at one end and against the connection with the cover at the other end for tightly closing said cover over the journal box opening, said lever coacting with one or the other of said lug faces for holding the lid in either open or closed position.

5. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug provided with angularly ar-- ranged faces, an articulated lid pivoted to said lug and including a cover, a lever and a hood pivotally connected thereto about a common center in such a manner that angular motion therebetween in all directions is provided for, spring means interposed between the lever and hood, said le er having a portion adapted to coact with said angularly arranged faces of the lug for maintaining the lid selectively in open or closed position and means for holding said lever away from said lug to permit free assembly of the lid with respect tothe box.

6. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug, an articulated lid including a pressed sheet metal cover, a hood and a lever connected together so as to permit 11111- versal angling therebetween about a common center, spring means acting between said hood and lever to force the lever against the lug, and means pivotally connecting said hood to the lug.

7. An articulated lid for journal. boxes comprising a pressed sheet metal cover, a hood and a lever connected together by a universal joint and spring means adapted to act between said hood and lever to hold the lid in either open or closed position with respect to an associated ournal box.

8. An articulated lid for journal boxes comprising a cover, a lever: and a hood pivotally connected thereto in such a manner that angular motion therebetween in all directions is provided for, spring means interposed between the lever and hood to force said lever against a cooperating portion of an associated journal box to hold the lid in open or closed position, said hood and lever being formed with corresponding apertures adapted to register for the reception of a locking pin to hold the spring stressed in a position suitable for conveniently connecting said lid to an associated journal box.

'9. An articulated journal box lid comprising a cover portion formed with a socket centrally disposed with res ect thereto, an associated hood formed with a ball shaped portion adapted to cooperate with said socket and provided with a complementary socketed portion, a lever adapted for association with said cover and hood and formed with a ball shaped portion adapted to cooperate with the socket portion of the hood, means pivotally connecting said cover, hood and lever so that the cooperating ball and socket portion thereon engage, said pivotal means being so loose that universal angling between the parts is provided for, spring means adapted to be positioned between said hood and lever for energizing the lever to hold the lid in a plurality of positions, said hood and lever being formed with apertures adapted to A register for the reception of a locking pin therebetween for holding said spring means in inoperative position to facilitate application of the lid to an associated journal box.

10. A journal box lid comprising a cover adapted to normally close the opening in the journal box, said lid including a lever and hood, all of said members engaging at a ball and socket joint connection therebetween, and sprmg means lnterposed between and acting against the lever and hood whereby said cover is maintained in firm engagement with the edges of an associated journal box.

11; A lid for journal boxes comprising a cover, a lever, and a hood pivotally connected thereto in such a manner that angling therebetween in all directions about a common center 18 permitted, and spring means interposed between the lever and hood to urge said lever against a cooperating portion of an associated journal boxv for holding the lid ormed with a ball-shaped portion normally coo erating with said socket and provided wit a complementary socketed portion, a spring actuated lever normally associated with said cover and hood and formed with a ball-shaped portion cooperating with the socket portion of the hood, and means pivotally connecting said cover, hood and lever so that the cooperating ball and socket portions thereon engage, said pivotal means being loose enough to permit universal angling between the parts,

13. An articulated journal box lid comprising a cover, a hood and a lever coaxially pivoted together, and spring means adapted to act between the lever and hood for holding the lid in a plurality of positions with respect to an associated journal box, said lever comprising a web portion formin a seat for said spring means and rigidifymg flanges outstanding from said web portion, extending substantially the full length of said lever, and serving to position said spring means.

14. In combination, a journal box having a hinge lug provided with angularly arranged faces, said box also being provided with an opening beneath said lug, a lid structure for closing said opening comprising a carrier member relativel wide at its upper portion and there providing hinging ears pivotally connected to said ug and with a relatively narrow lower portion, a plate member for closing said opening, and means for movably connecting said plate member to for;

lie

the relatively narrow portion of said carrier tact with either of the angularly arranged faces of said In to maintain said lid structure in open or c osed position.

15. An articulated Journal box lid structure comprising a carrier member relatively wide at its upper ortion and there provided with spaced inging portions adapted for pivotal connectlon to an associated box and relatively narrow at its lower por- 19 tion, a late member for closing an opening in said ox and means connecting said relatively narrow portion of said carrier member to said late member and permitting equalizing ad uStment therebetween, a lever movab y mounted on said carrier member and a coil spring located upon a portion of said lid structure and with its axis disposed transverse to the major dimension of, and said spring acting against, said lever and in a 9 direction substantially normal to the plate member to urge an end portion of the lever -toward the plane of said plate member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

DONALD S. BARR WS. 

